Today, Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, spoke the words that many South Koreans have been waiting to hear.
"The International Olympic Committee has the honor of announcing that the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in 2018 are awarded to the city of Pyeongchang,” Rogge said, after the first round of voting to select the 2018 host city. The voting was held in Durbin, South Africa.
2018 Olympic Bid City Winner: Pyeongchang, South Korea
During the first round, Pyeongchang earned 63 of 95 total votes, defeating Munich, which received 25, and Annecy, which received seven. A total of 48 votes were needed to win the bid. The last time a city won the bid in the first round was for the 2002 Olympic Games, ultimately held in Salt Lake City.
The 2018 Games will mark the first time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in Asia since the 1998 Nagano, Japan Olympics. In fact, aside from 1998, the Winter Olympic Games have only been held in Asia one other time — also in Japan — in Sapporo in 1972.
After the announcement was made, Korean delegates began to cheer and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak shook hands with a tearful Kim Yu-na, the 2010 Olympic figure skating champion, according to The Associated Press.
"Now Korea wants to give back to the Olympic movement and to the world," Lee said. "Pyeongchang 2018 is a national priority of the Korean government and has been so for the last 10 years. I guarantee you the full and unconditional support of the Korean government. We worked hard, we'll make you proud."
Pyeongchang Wins Bid City Voting on Third Attempt
South Korea submitted bids for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games, too, but was defeated in each attempt by Vancouver and Sochi, respectively. South Korea last hosted an Olympic Games in 1988, when the Summer Games were held in Seoul.
Before the voting began, Kim Jin-Sun, the former governor of Gangwon Province, home of Pyeongchang, stood before the delegates and reminded them of the dedication of the South Korean bid committees.
"We never gave up, and tried again and listened to your advice and improved our plans," he said, according to The Associated Press. "I believe it is my destiny to stand in front of you for the third time. Our people have waited for over 10 years for the Winter Olympics. Today I humbly ask for your support for the chance of hosting the Winter Games for the first time in our country."
For South Korea and Pyeongchang, it turns out, the third time was the charm.
About Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a city of about 47,000 inhabitants on the eastern coast of South Korea, about 110 miles east of Seoul. Each of the Olympic venues are within 30 minutes of each other, according to The Associated Press. In 2010, more than 1.85 million people visited the city.
Sources:
- “Pyeongchang wins bid for 2018 Olympic Games” The Associated Press, July 6, 2011
- Glionna, John M. “South Korea Wins Bid for 2018 Olympic Games.” The Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2011
- Kim, Sam. “Elation in Pyeongchang for winning 2018 Games.” The Associated Press, July 6, 2011
Kristen Nichols - Kristen is a freelance reporter and copywriter covering Olympic and Paralympic sport for Suite101.com. Kristen's love of sport developed ...
